2024-04-14 09:08:25
The Cameroonian academic world is in turmoil. At the heart of the scandal: a controversial decision by the Minister of Higher Education, Jacques Fame Ndongo. The latter would have decided to deprive new teachers at the University of Ngaoundéré of their bonuses for the first quarter of 2024, while granting them to their counterparts from other universities. An explosive situation which arouses indignation and could well set the campus ablaze.
Shocking and unjustifiable discrimination
According to information collected by 237online.com, the aggrieved teachers are those recruited under the “ digital replacement » in December 2023, at the same time as those resulting from the special recruitment ordered by the President of the Republic. All took up their duties at the beginning of January 2024 and are awaiting the finalization of their contracts.
But while their colleagues from the universities of Ebolowa and Bertoua, among others, are already receiving their bonuses by simply signing a commitment with the MINESUP accounting officer, those from Ngaoundéré are being refused. Reason given? They will have to wait… 2025!
Living and working without pay for more than a year?
This aberrant decision plunges the young teachers concerned into an impossible situation. Fame Ndongo asks them nothing more and nothing less to live, teach and do research without the slightest income from 2023, the year of their recruitment, until April 2025. That is more than a year without salary!
A real scandal which raises many questions. How can these young people, often already in precarious circumstances, provide for themselves and their families during this period? How can they pay their rent, feed themselves, take care of themselves, while meeting their teaching and research responsibilities?
The specter of an anti-regime revolt on campus
Beyond the human drama, this decision is likely to have serious political consequences. As many observers point out, this discriminatory treatment could fuel a feeling of revolt among young teachers and, by extension, among students.
In an already tense context, where the slightest spark can ignite the powder, the clumsy management of Fame Ndongo could well be the detonator of an anti-regime revolt on the Ngaoundéré campus. A risk that the authorities seem to take lightly, with disregard for social cohesion and the stability of the university environment.
Fame Ndongo must rectify the situation, and quickly!
Faced with this explosive situation, a rapid and firm reaction from the Minister of Higher Education is expected. Fame Ndongo must rectify the situation and restore fair treatment between all young teachers, regardless of their assigned university.
It is a question of social justice, but also of political wisdom. By ignoring the legitimate demands of these teachers, the minister is playing with fire and risks throwing the University of Ngaoundéré, and perhaps the entire university system, into a spiral of protests with unpredictable consequences.
It is the responsibility of the State, guarantor of the proper functioning and serenity of the academic world. The future of these young teachers, full of promise, who only ask to serve their country with dedication and competence is also at stake.
Minister Fame Ndongo, there is still time to listen to the voice of reason and repair this glaring injustice. The young teachers of Ngaoundéré, and through them the entire university community, are watching you. Choose calm and fairness, before the situation gets out of control. The future of our university, and perhaps that of Cameroon, depends on it.